b'PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT THROUGH VALIDATIONThe Role of Positive Feedback in Managing PerformanceBy Wendy LoewenP recognition will somehow dilute or People typically do not like corrective feedback, even when it is needed.cheapen praise, and therefore reduce Our fight-or-flight response kicks infuture motivation for outstanding and we immediately perceive theperformance. This is simply not true. feedback as a threat.As Jack Zenger and Joseph Folkman Regardless of how confident westate in a 2013 issue of Harvard are, we tend to find it disconcertingBusiness Review, only positive to receive corrective feedback.feedback can motivate people to It can chip away at our sense ofcontinue doing what theyre doing competence and our confidence.well, and do it with more vigor, While there are times that itsdetermination and creativity. necessary to give corrective feedbackThe mere acknowledgment of to support change, positive feedbackgood performance increases the also creates changes in people andprobability of good performance leads to many tangible results. Peoplein the future. And giving specific crave validation. feedback, such as telling someone Many of us have heard the quiprecognition enough, and they willexactly what you liked about what about a lover who, when their partnerlet the employee know if anythingthey did and why you liked it, complains that they dont tell themchangesno news is good news. dramatically increases the likelihood they love them anymore, replies:Despite the fact that no news isof that level of performanceI said I love you when we first gotoften good news, I can guaranteeoccurring again.together and Ill let you know ifthat most supervisors and managersGiven this and other research, we anything changes. Sadly, manywant to be valued and appreciated bymake it an expectation of leaders supervisors hold the same attitude.their superiors. There seems to be ato offer positive feedback. Here are They act as if hiring an employee isfear in management that excessivesome more reasons why:It means something goodhas occurred. Your employee has done something well or demonstrated a behaviour you want to reinforce, both of which contribute positively toEXECUTIVE MEDICALthe workplace.ASSESSMENT We know our employees andour co-workers like it, because it feels good and contributes Think of it as a strategic plan to happiness and satisfaction in for your health the workplace. If you doubt this, do a quick informal survey. It shows that you are a vigilantleader, because you are noticing and reinforcing specific positiveA Wellness Institute Executive Medical Health Assessment is an in-depthactions from your staff.half-day medical assessment conducted by a physician and other specialists withIf you are struggling with what a focus on disease prevention and early detection. Much more extensive than a typical annual to give feedback about, consider check-up, the assessment provides a head-to-toe examination as well as a battery of advanced teststhe following four behaviours to ranging from important biomarkers to observing the heart under the stress of exercise. recognize, affirm, and reinforce:Invest in yourself. Contact executivemedicals@wellnessinstitute.ca for more information.1.MeaningfulnessGet well and stay well at Seven Oaks General Hospital This refers to the meaningfulness12 HRmatters www.cphrmb.ca'